A discussion on the Stepping uP Against Racism and Xenophobia (SPARX) Project

As Nelson Mandela stated, “no one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin;” yet, racism and xenophobia perpetuates in individuals and systems. How are racism and xenophobia learned, and how can they be unlearned, in childhood and adolescence? How can we effectively disrupt the effects of racism and xenophobia on children and adolescents? Many schools and policymakers attempt to address racism and xenophobia. Yet, they often rely on anecdotal suggestions instead of scientifically-informed best practices and intervention approaches.

The Stepping uP Against Racism and Xenophobia (SPARX) Project involves a collaborative of scholars and community members who are committed to promoting antiracist and antixenophobic competencies in children. Dr. Deborah Rivas-Drake, 2022 Research and Community Impact Fellow, will moderate a panel discussion focusing on how to develop and maintain university-partnerships that center community members’ voices, concerns, and priorities. Panelists include Drs. Andrew Grant-Thomas, Laura-Ann Jacobs, and Gabriela Livas Stein, who will share their experiences communicating and connecting anti-racist and anti-xenophobic research to practice with parents, caregivers, and educators.

Moderator: Dr. Deborah Rivas-Drake, Stephanie J. Rowley Collegiate Professor of Education and Professor of Psychology at the University of Michigan

Panelists:

Dr. Andrew Grant-Thomas, Co-Founder and Co-Director of EmbraceRace

Dr. Laura-Ann Jacobs, Anti-Racism Collaborative and SPARX Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Michigan

Dr. Gabriela Livas Stein, Psychologist and Professor of Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro